How is it that dental hygienists make just as much as a nurse? Also, can you give me info about the career?

I really want to know about the dental hygienist career. I heard they make just as much (if not more) money than a nurse! How can that be? Also what schooling do you need for that? I really wanted to get my bachleors degree but I thought you could only get your associates to become a dental hygeinist?





Can someone please give me some info?!

How is it that dental hygienists make just as much as a nurse? Also, can you give me info about the career?
"A dental hygienist is a licensed dental auxiliary who specializes in preventive dental care, typically but not limited to focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the duties hygienists are able to perform. In most jurisdictions, hygienists work for a dentist, and are licensed to administer restricted techniques of local anesthesia. Also radiographs, sealants, scaling, root planing and cleaning are common procedures performed by dental hygienists.





In some areas, the dental regulations include extended duties and exemptions for dental hygienists. Some hygienists are allowed to practice without dentist supervision, use restricted bleaching techniques, and in some areas are even allowed to restore teeth using restricted classes of fillings."





Check the web sites I listed below. As outlined in the passage above, a dental hygienist is entrusted with a high level of care and responsibility for patient care- they don't just show you how to clean your teeth.





As for the pay- in the area that I live in the dental hygienists start out at a higher rate, but they do all of the listed items above; thus the high starting pay. As for nursing, while they start out at a lower starting rate, but they have more opprotunities if they choose to specialized with further education and certifications.





The school for both start out with and associates degree. If you are planing on becoming an instructor, you can opt for going back for a bachelors in Dental Hygiene. For nursing- here, you will not see that much of an increase in your pay unless you obtain the masters.





Check your local community colleges web sites they should list the requirements for both of these options. If these programs are as in demand as they are in my local area, you will find that there is either a long waiting list, or the requirements are so high that most individuals will not qualify and have to reapply.





We have 2 Dental Hygiene programs in a 50 mile radius compaired to 6 nursing programs in the same area (all 6 of the community college have a nursing program).





Good Luck.
Reply:Yes, I'd be happy to tell you. I am a registered dental hygienist (RDH) with my bachelors degree. I completed a 4 year program with a bachelors degree and majored in dental hygiene. It's exactly the same as nursing (RN) except you major in dental hygiene instead of nursing.





Yes, the pay scale is pretty comparable (hourly,) but keep in mind that hygienists only work part time and nurses work full time with overtime. So in the end nurses do make more money because they are working more hours. But hourly we make the same. There are many other things to consider too. For example, only some hygienists get benefits (if the dentist decides to offer them.)